World of Comics
World of Comics
In 2009, the first World of Comics opened in the eastern part of Zagreb. It is a café bar where you can sip coffee while reading the selection of comic books in the café bar’s library. Tucked away in a residential street near Kvaternikov trg, the ‘World of Strip’ is a one-room temple to the art of the comic book. Every inch of available wall space is covered with blow-ups of well-known cartoon characters and comic front pages while table-side bookshelves are packed with magazines that you are free to browse. There’s a special section devoted to Alan Ford, the accident-prone American secret agent (invented by Italian writer Max Bunker) who became a cult in the former Yugoslavia and remained the cornerstone of much local humour.
Image credit: Svijet Stripa Confetti Facebook page
The concept has recently been extended to encompass yet another, even larger place. The second World of Comics, with an extensive library and gallery, has opened its doors in the very heart of the city, on Kačićeva Street, and has immediately become the meeting place for 9th art lovers and for those attracted by somewhat unorthodox music and film offers. The space has been provided by the concept’s founder. It has everything that the first one lacked, an extensive library where many citizens donated their comic book collections as well as a space for themed exhibitions, comic book schools for children and teenagers, auctions and rich music and film programmes on weekends. This has put Zagreb on the map of those very rare capitals worldwide that boast such a particular attraction.
Unique events during the week
On Thursdays, the World of Comics Library and Gallery offer unique evenings of slapstick comedy and guitar – the screening of silent movies featuring the likes of Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin and Hardy, with live guitar accompaniment. Sometimes the guitar is replaced by the piano accompaniment.
The programme on Fridays is called Classics and Wine – a pleasant ambience with the backdrop of classical music written by great composers. On Saturdays, nostalgic lovers of old Zagreb urban songs come into their own here. With free internet access on several computers and no entrance fee, the entire project is bound to build up quite a following.
After all, this is indeed a place like no other in Zagreb, which offers an enviable collection of comic classics and rare foreign editions.
Image credit: Crtani Romani Šou Facebook page
The International Festival 'Funny Comics Show' Zagreb
In addition to these attractive cafes, Zagreb offers festival dedicated to comics, comic strip authors, enthusiasts and lovers of comics. The organizer of the festival is the Croatian Cartoonist Association. The International Festival 'Funny Comics Show' tries to explain to the audience, the creative thinking and process that go beyond creating a comic. They do this by arranging events such as workshops with the intention to involve the audience in the creative process and widen the knowledge about various aspects of creating the comics and illustrations. The Festival also offers numerous other events - premieres, lectures, exhibitions, concerts, parties, discussions, book promotions, auctions, cinema related to comics and leisure talks about comic-related themes.
Image credit: Crtani Romani Šou Facebook page
The festival is held in May in the CAA, also popularly called "Džamija". Closeness to the downtown, an ample space for exhibitions, lectures and comic books selling, and excellent transport connections are most definitely the greatest advantages of this space. This year, a part of the events was held in Grič Cinema, also in a fantastic location, one minute walk from the main square, Ban Jelacic Square.
This year's Festival hosted famous names from the world of comics such as Pierre Alary (Belladonna, Silas Corey), Didier Pasamonik (theorist, curator and editor), Goran Parlov (Tex, Punisher, Starlight), Milorad Vicanović - Maza (Wild Wind, Jour J, Lady Spitfire, Wunderwaffen, Distractions) and many others.
A special guest was magnificent Alfonso Font (Tex Clarke and Kubrick, Tales from the imperfect future, Jon Rohner), a cult name of the 9th art, an exceptional artist who influenced many generations of younger colleagues, both in Croatia and around the world.
Image credit: Crtani Romani Šou Facebook page
The authors throughout the festival mingled with the crowd, drawn and signed their works, speaking of himself in the stands, and besides, the audience could attend the various lectures and promotions. For the first time this year, it was organized an exhibition of beautiful sculptures and figurines of famous characters from pop culture, like the Terminator, Batman, Wolverine, Indiana Jones and others.
Entrance to all events in the festival is free.
Header image credit: Crtani Romani Šou Facebook page
Author: Sanja Kočiš